Premiership in focus: Bridgend & Aberavon

Aberavon are looking to bounce back from defeat to Cardiff last time out

Aberavon head coach Simon King is refusing to dismiss the challenge of Bridgend as he prepares his side for a trip to the Brewery Field tomorrow.

Every side we've played so far this season has improved from last year but we are happy and I think we are moving in the right direction

The Wizards have been a formidable outfit at home in the last six months but saw their fortress stormed by Cardiff last weekend. Dan Fish's hat-trick secured a win for the Blue and Blacks to leave the Wizards in ninth place.

Looking back on the clash with Cardiff, King said: "It was a good game for the neutral, I think everyone who watched that game enjoyed it.

"Credit to Cardiff. They came down to us with a good team and it was the best I've seen them play down here in a number of years.

"It was a tough game and we could have sneaked it but Dan Fish took the game away from us."

One win and two defeats from their three games so far represents an inconsistent start to the season for Aberavon, the Ravens next up on Saturday. Bridgend have lost all four of their games so far but King says tomorrow's game is far from a foregone conclusion.

"Every side we've played so far this season has improved from last year but we are happy and I think we are moving in the right direction," he added.

"All the boys are looking forward to tomorrow at the Brewery Field. To their credit, Bridgend play a great brand of rugby and they are a very dangerous side. Results haven't gone in their favour so far this season but sometimes, they can be deceiving.

"It's always tough at the Brewery Field and Bridgend will certainly be a real test. It's a big game for both sets of players as the two of us are in the Ospreys region."

For the trip to Bridgend, King has gone for Paul Smithson at fly half in place of the experienced Jamie Davies. Sam Williams features at lock.

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